The Yukon government is working to update the Child Care Act, which came into force on July 1, 1990.

Changes to the legislation will consider the key principles of quality, affordability, inclusivity and accessibility.

The public engagement process began Monday.

Over the following two months, meetings will be held with partner and stakeholder groups.

Those include Yukon First Nations governments, early learning educators, non-profit groups and operators of family day homes and child care centres.

The public will be able to complete a quick survey online and provide more detailed feedback about the topics most important to them.

Input collected will be used by the government to inform changes to the Child Care Act.

A What We Heard document will be prepared and released following the end of the engagement.

“Our government made a commitment to review the Child Care Act, and we are delivering on that promise,” Education Minister Jeanie McLean said Nov. 20.

“On National Child Day (that day), I am pleased to announce that we are launching our work to amend the Child Care Act. I encourage all members of the public who have an interest in early learning and child care services to learn more and have their voices heard,” McLean added.

“We value our continuing collaboration with First Nation governments, early learning and child care providers and educators as we take this next step in reviewing the Child Care Act.”

In the Yukon, licensed child care services can be provided to children 12 years old and younger, or 16 years old and younger if that person has diverse developmental needs.

More detailed feedback than the short survey is welcome, and a discussion document is available on the engagement page as a guide.

The engagement will be open from until Jan. 30, 2024.